Method for providing video programming nearly on demand

ABSTRACT

A method for providing video programming in a nearly on demand basis is disclosed. A video network includes a video server that operates several video recorders to simultaneously exhibit video performances or programs on a plurality of channels. The video server is controlled in real time in accordance with data presented to it in an exhibition plan. The exhibition plan calls for two or more channels to show the same program on a time offset basis. Due to the offset in exhibiting a given program, a subscriber may view a program at any time, from the beginning of a program, by waiting for a period of time that is no longer than the offset. Preferably, this offset is substantially shorter than the run time of the program. The channels carrying this program are unscrambled prior to the beginning of the program and for a predetermined duration into the program so that subscribers may preview the program. However, the channels are scrambled for the remainder of the exhibition of the program. A subscriber may order the program when it begins and for a short duration after the program becomes scrambled.

This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 07/633,637 filed on Dec.21, 1990, now abandoned.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention is related to:

1. "Schedule Management Method," by P. Deborah Clark, filed on Jan. 7,1991 and assigned to GTE Service, Corporation, now U.S. Pat. No.5,311,423.

2. "Inventory Management Method," by P. Deborah Clark, filed Jan. 7,1991 and assigned to GTE Service Corp. now U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,112.

3. "Video distribution system allowing viewer access to time-staggeredidentical pre-recorded programs," by Stephan S. Walker, et al., filed onthe same day as the present application GT Laboratories, Inc., now U.S.Pat. No. 5,163,353.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to methods for providing videoprogramming to a multiplicity of network subscribers. Specifically, thepresent invention relates to methods for operating a video network whichsupplies pay-per-view video programming to subscribers in a nearly ondemand basis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Video and audio broadcasters engage in performing or otherwisebroadcasting audio and visual productions or programs. Typically, suchperformances are provided to the broadcasters on magnetic and opticalrecording media, such as video and audio disks and tapes, over satelliteor network feeds, from live performances, and the like. The broadcastersrebroadcast these performances over their networks. Each broadcast maybe considered an exhibition of the performance.

Various examples of networks, such as cable TV networks, operated bybroadcasters are known to those skilled in the art. Such networksprovide occasional programming on a pay-per-view (PPV) basis.Broadcasters would like to increase the quantity of pay-per-viewprogramming because such programming may help them reduce the risksassociated with licensing certain high-priced performances forexhibition. Increased pay-per-view programming would also provide a morefair basis for charging subscribers for the programming services thatare delivered to their premises. In other words, subscribers would beable to pay a fair price for only that programming that they actuallyview rather than pay averaged prices for a variety of programming, muchof which they do not actually view.

One impediment to providing more extensive PPV programming has been thecumbersome techniques used in ordering the PPV services. Anotherimpediment to providing more extensive PPV programming has been the lackof an ability to have programming available when a subscriber wishes toview it. It is common knowledge that viewers prefer to make programmingselections on impulse. In other words, viewers tend not to think aheadabout the programming that they may want to view at a later time. Theyprefer not to commit themselves to viewing a particular program at aparticular future interval in time but rather to decide on impulse thatthey want to view some sort of programming at the present time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an advantage of the present invention that animproved method for providing pay-per-view (PPV) programming tosubscribers of a network is provided.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the present inventionprovides a method for delivering programs to subscribers nearly in an ondemand or impulse basis.

Yet another advantage is that the present invention provides a methodfor controlling scrambling and unscrambling of programming so thatsubscribers may view intelligible preview and promotional programmingbut not substantial portions of PPV programming until paying for it.

The above and other advantages of the present invention are carried outin one form by a method of providing video programs to subscribers via atransmission system that has the capacity for transmitting a pluralityof video channels. The method calls for storing the video programs in acontrollable video player system. The video player system is controlledin accordance with a predetermined schedule and in a manner that causesthe video programs to be applied at specified times to specifiedchannels of the transmission system. The schedule instructs the videoplayer system to be controlled so that at least one selected videoprogram is simultaneously applied to a plurality of channels. Therespective starting times of the selected video program on therespective plurality of channels are staggered by time intervals of arelatively short period in relation to the run-time of the selectedvideo program. The video program on the selected channels is processedin a manner that renders the program on the channels substantiallyunintelligible. The selected channels are broadcast to subscribers viathe transmission system. When subscribers request to view the videoprogram, the request is processed. In response to a request from asubscriber, the video program is rendered substantially intelligible tothe subscriber on an appropriate one of the plurality of channels towhich the selected video program is simultaneously applied.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived byreferring to the detailed description and claims when considered inconnection with the FIGURES, wherein like reference numbers refer tosimilar items throughout the FIGURES, and:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a system for distributingvideo programming, including a video server, in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a video server configured in accordancewith the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary schedule or exhibition plan followed inexhibiting performances on four different channels throughout a threehour period; and

FIG. 4 shows a detailed timing diagram of a preferred system operationthat occurs around the time when one exhibition of a pay-per-viewprogram ceases and another pay-per-view exhibition begins.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring first to FIG. 1, there is seen a schematic representation of asystem 10 for distributing video programming in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present invention. System 10 includes avideo server 11 interfaced to a headend 12 of a wideband transmissionsystem 13 having a plurality of channels. Transmission system 13 couplesto a multiplicity of addressable converter boxes 14 located inrespective subscriber premises 36.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the video server 11 shown in FIG. 1. Videoserver 11 includes, among other elements, a serving computer 15 andsoftware, a control bus 16, and a plurality of video players 17.

The serving computer 15 performs all control functions (e.g. start,stop, rewind, etc.) for the video players 17 in response to anexhibition plan or schedule (discussed below). Computer 15 also gathersvideo player usage data. The serving computer 15 is loaded with theexhibition plan, which specifies timing instructions. The servingcomputer 15 is programmed to provide real time outputs in response tothese timing instructions. The exhibition plan may be provided to theserving computer 15 on magnetic memory 19 or transferred directly from amaster scheduling computer 20. The exhibition plan includes a five-digitevent code, a title, rating code, channel, starting times, dates, runtime, and price for each exhibition of a performance.

The serving computer 15 also monitors the status of the video players 17and operates promotional channel video players 18. Operations arecontrolled through a menu. A printer 21 prints a hardcopy listing theprogram to be placed in each video player 17. An operator displayprovides video player status monitoring. A status screen indicateswhether a video playback machine is playing, rewinding, waiting to startplaying, not in use, setting-up, or has failed. Provision of an alarmduring video player failure is included. Monitors (not shown) show whatis on a selected channel.

A commercially available parallel bus 16 provides a communications pathbetween an output port of serving computer 15 and video players 17 and18, allowing the serving computer 15 to automatically operate thecontrol features of the video players. Bus 16 includes one or more buscontroller panels which provide control signals in response to the realtime outputs of the computer 15. These in turn operate video playerparallel decoders, each of which can control several video players.

Video players 17 are used for playing recorded media containing programsin television format or for coupling a line feed from a live program.The video players 17 may be any controllable player means such as videocassette recorders (VCRs) or disk players. Pre-recorded video cassetteformat is the most abundant medium for video storage in the preferredembodiment of the present invention. Video cassette players may besoftware controlled for automatic rewind and playback of tapes. Opticaldisks are another storage medium. An attractive feature of optical diskplayers is the capability of multiple playing heads reading a disk.

Each video player has a control port coupled to the bus 16 and isresponsive to the control signals. Each video player also has an outputproviding television signals for coupling to a separate correspondingchannel via the headend 12 of the transmission system 13 (see FIG. 1).

The video players 17 play video selections starting at times specifiedby the exhibition plan. Each player can be set for different starttimes. At the start time, the medium is played from the start of theactive program. At the end of the program the medium is automaticallyrewound, if necessary, and set to the program start.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least two ofthe video players 17 are loaded with duplicate recorded media andcontrolled to play at staggered or overlapping time intervals. Thisstaggered timing of a single program on multiple channels allowssubscribers to have access to desired video nearly on demand, asdiscussed below in connection with FIGS. 3-4.

The medium is changed in the video server in either of twocircumstances. The first is when the exhibition plan dictates that adifferent program will start at a certain time and on a certain channeland the existing video medium should be removed and a new mediuminserted. Accordingly, an operator may replace a given tape 30 to alibrary 32 and select a different tape 30 from library 32 for insertionin players 17-18 in accordance with scheduling instructions.

The second circumstance occurs if the medium degrades with usage and hasbeen played a specified number of times. It is then replaced with afresh copy. In the preferred embodiment, master scheduler 20 processes agiven schedule to determine when a program has been played apredetermined number of times. The predetermined number is selected sothat the chances of program degradation and mechanical tape problems areextremely small when the number of playings are kept below thepredetermined number. This information is passed to video servercomputer 15. When this predetermined number of playings is achieved, amessage is printed that instructs a user to replace a particular tape.In addition, by processing the schedule, master scheduler 20 anticipateswhen new media is needed to replace old media. Scheduler 20 printsappropriate reports which inform a user of when to acquire new recordingmedia and of the quantities to acquire.

During a pause, such as rewinding, the input from another source cutsthrough the video player and becomes the player output which is shown onthe channel. This enables the viewer's channel to show another videosource such as a promotional or text channel during times when theplayer is not showing a program. Arrangements for a promotional channelare described below.

The video players 17 have stereo audio capacity. Since it is desirableto operate audio through balanced pairs for common mode rejection, twoaudio outputs are connected to a pair of unbalance-to-balance bufferamplifiers. Each video player's output signal is coupled to acorresponding channel at headend 12.

Each video player 17 output is coupled to its own corresponding channelon the transmission system. The video output of the video server isconnected through scrambling means in headend 12. Each signal isselectably scrambled at headend 12 before being placed on transmissionsystem 13 (see FIG. 1).

Video server 11 provides a promotional channel. The promotional channeloperates similarly to a program channel, except each promotional segmentis shorter in length than a program and is played continuously on one oftwo promotional video players 18. The two players alternately playidentical preview segments. As one is playing, the other is rewinding.The promotional channel appears to play continuously. The switch fromone video player to the other is set at a regular interval which doesnot interfere with controller operations of the other channels.

The promotional channel continuously shows promotional programming suchas program previews, event promotions, order instructions, andprogramming information. A short promotional segment may be repeatedback-to-back on a recorded medium so that the medium does not have to berewound as frequently, thereby reducing medium wear. Information on thepromotional channel is changed as required, e.g. monthly, according tothe programming schedule. The promotional channel operations aresoftware controlled by the serving computer 15.

A character generator 22 is coupled to the serving computer 15 forproviding a menu in television format representing a programmingschedule. The menu includes the specific times at which the beginningsof the video programs may be viewed and, if necessary, the channels uponwhich the video programs may be viewed. Server computer 15 continuouslysynchronizes the menu information with the operation of program videoplayers 17. The output of the character generator 22 is coupledunscrambled through headend 12 to a channel designated for text.

The output of the character generator 22 is also connected to the inputof the first promotional video player. The output of the firstpromotional video player is connected to the input of the secondpromotional video player. The output of the second promotional videoplayer is connected to a channel designated for promotionals. If bothpromotional video players 18 are in a non-play condition, then thecharacter generator 22 output is automatically connected to thepromotional channel.

The promotional channel output signal also couples through adistribution amplifier 34 so that it may be fed to the plurality ofprogram video players 17. When any channel is not supplied with videofrom its video player 17, the promotional channel is automaticallyexhibited. Accordingly, when a video player 17 is being rewound, thepromotional channel's programming is automatically broadcast over thechannel assigned to the video player 17.

With reference back to FIG. 1, the programs and promotions aredistributed on an assortment of different channels of the transmissionsystem 13. Transmission system 13 may be configured as broadcast,satellite, cable, or fiber. Headend 12, includes a scrambler 23, whichselectably scrambles the channels. FIG. 1 shows all channels from videoserver 11 being routed through scrambler 23 for completeness. However,in the preferred embodiment, only program channels are actuallyscrambled. Moreover, the scrambling is switched off and on throughcontrol signals provided by a downstream controller 24. Controller 24receives scheduling information from master scheduler 20 and controlsscrambling in real time in accordance with the scheduling information.While FIG. 1 shows controller 24 as being a separate component fromserving computer 15 of video server 11 (see FIG. 2), those skilled inthe art will understand that serving computer 15 may be adapted toadditionally operate as downstream controller 24.

Addressable converter box 14, or simply converter 14, enables downstreamaccess to a channel. In other words, converter 14 allows and controlsthe viewing of programming in its respective subscriber premises 36.Addressable converter box 14 represents conventional equipment, which isknown to those skilled in the art. Generally speaking, a preview orpromotional period of programming is shown unscrambled prior to theshowing of each program. Converter 14 passes this promotional materialtoward a television receiver 29 without any attempt at unscrambling.Thus, the subscriber may view intelligible programming. This unscrambledtransmission continues for a predetermined period of time, preferablypast the beginning of the program. However, downstream controller 24eventually scrambles the program and instructs all enabled converters 14in a global transmission to all premises 36 to begin unscrambling theprogram. For converters 14 which have been enabled, subscribers maycontinue to view intelligible programming. However, converters 14 whichhave not been enabled do not unscramble the received signals andtherefore send only unintelligible programming, if any, towardtelevision receiver 29.

Converter 14 includes a receiver or transmitter/receiver section 40which converts the received signals to baseband. A controller 42 portionof converter 14 includes a decoder 44 which looks for data in thebaseband signals that are addressed to the converter 14. Controller 42also controls a descrambler 46 so that incoming signals are selectablyunscrambled. Such data may be addressed globally, so that all converters14 interpret data as being directed toward them, or locally, so thatonly a specific single converter 14 interprets the corresponding data asbeing directed toward it. When such data is detected, controller 42examines the data to determine whether it represents credit data,instructions for unscrambling an incoming scrambled signal on aspecified channel or channels, instructions for refraining fromunscrambling an incoming unscrambled signal on a specified channel orchannels, instructions for enabling a specific channel or channels so itor they may later be unscrambled, and the like.

The preferred ordering system is impulse pay-per-view. In other words, asubscriber may view a preview or beginning of a program and instantly,on impulse, order the program for viewing at his or her premises 36. Theordering process allows ordering from a choice of different programswhich start at various times. The preferred ordering process is capableof processing orders, both requesting and canceling service, in advanceor up until some time into the event.

The ordering process also allows authorization for receiving ordersprior to service delivery. Two types of authorization may be providedfor: 1) authorization based on credit limitation, or 2) authorizationbased on parental control. Accurate records, correlated by program, arekept by the converter 14 until transferred to system 10 for analysis.Records include data on customer identification, events ordered andcanceled (program title, start date and time), time and day of ordertransaction, blockage in ordering or receiving service, and price ofprogram.

The present invention contemplates alternate embodiments for methods ofordering programming. In a first preferred embodiment, a subscriberaccesses a keypad or remote control (not shown) for the subscriber'sconverter 14 to enter an order. A simple push of a button maysuccessfully cause an order to be entered. The converter 14 records thefact that an order has been placed in a memory 48, and associates thetime of day and the channel being viewed with this information.Converter 14 may also verify that credit limits and parentalauthorization permit the order. This order will enable converter 14 tounscramble the programming in response to a global unscramble signalreceived from system 10.

Preferably, downstream controller 24 of system 10 polls each set-topconverter 14 daily. If converters 14 have collected billing data,controller 24 requests them to transfer this data to an upstreamcontroller 25 of system 10. Such billing data may be transmitted eitherthrough the public switched telephone network (PSTN) 50 or overtransmission system 13.

Alternatively, a subscriber may access a telephone 49, and place atelephone call to a predetermined number for system 10. Ordering andauthorization data is thus placed through the PSTN 50 to system 10. ThisPSTN-directed data may be received at system 10 either by a customerservice representative who operates a telephone 52 and transfers data tomaster scheduler 20, or by a substantially automated upstream controller25. Controller 25 may include an automatic number indicator (ANI) 54that automatically receives the telephone number of the calling party.0f course, PSTN 50 must automatically pass the telephone number, as iscurrently done in certain locations, to ANI 54 so that ANI 54 mayreceive it. This telephone number is used to identify the subscriber whois placing an order or transmitting authorization data. Automatic numberidentification is a conventional technology which is known to thoseskilled in the art of telephony.

A controller portion 56 of upstream controller 25 may control aconventional voice synthesizer 58 to return voice prompts back to thesubscriber. Preferably, these voice prompts instruct the subscriber topress various keys on the subscriber's telephone. For example, the voiceprompts may request the subscriber to first enter a personalidentification number (PIN) for security purposes. The voice prompts mayrequest the subscriber to enter a channel number for the program that asubscriber wishes to view. A conventional audio response unit (ARU) 60couples to the phone line to detect dual tone multifrequency (DTMF)signals generated when the subscriber presses keys on the subscribertelephone 49 and reports the numbers to controller 56 for transmissionto master scheduler 20.

When upstream controller 25 receives the billing data, it stores andformats the data for transfer to master scheduler 20. Scheduler 20 thenpasses the information on to billing computer 26. Billing computer 26receives information for each transaction on the customer, the eventcode ordered, and any other necessary data to identify the event codewith title, rating, channel, starting times as well as date, run time,and price. Billing computer 26 processes this data and prints a bill 27which includes the program title, date, time, and price.

The system is adapted for transferring television programs from videoserver 11, i.e. upstream transmitter, over the transmission system 13 toa downstream video recorder 28 and television receiver 29 coupled to theconverter 14. The downstream control signals may be sent on cable,fiber, or telephone lines, but preferably the same media the televisionsignals are sent on. Control data which relate to establishingauthorization levels, ordering programming, and canceling programmingare transmitted from individual subscriber premises 36 via an upstreamdata link, through upstream controller 25, to master scheduler 20 andbilling computer 26. This upstream data link may be provided by the PSTN50 or by transmission system 13.

System 10 is operated substantially as illustrated in FIGS. 3-4 toprovide video programming to subscribers nearly on demand. FIG. 3 showsan exemplary schedule or exhibition plan followed in exhibitingperformances on four different programming channels (see FIG. 2)throughout a three hour period. Thus, FIG. 3 illustrates the operationof four of program video players 17 (see FIG. 2). Each channel, labeledchannels 70-73 in FIG. 3, exhibits a combination of premium programmingand promotional programming, as discussed above. The premium programingrepresents programming which subscribers must pay for and unscramble inorder to render the programming intelligible. In other words, thepremium programming represents pay-per-view (PPV) programming.

In order to provide near video on demand (NVOD) services, the a singleprogram or performance, labeled as program X in FIG. 3, is exhibitedsimultaneously on each of channels 7073. While each exhibition issimultaneously broadcast on transmission system 13, the exhibitions areoffset or staggered in time relative to one another. In the exampledepicted in FIG. 3, program X has a run length of around 110 minutes anda repeat factor of 120 minutes. Thus, on each of channels 70-73, programX is exhibited for 110 minutes. When program X finishes, promotionalprogramming is exhibited for 10 minutes. While the promotionalprogramming is being exhibited, tapes 30 (see FIG. 2) upon which programX is recorded are rewound and queued for a subsequent exhibition. After10 minutes of promotional programming, program X is again exhibited,starting from its beginning. This process of repeating program X every120 minutes continues indefinitely, until overall exhibition plans callfor the exhibition of different programming.

In the example depicted in FIG. 3, exhibitions of program X arestaggered 30 minutes from one another on channels 70-73. Thus, a firstexhibition of program X begins at 7:00 on channel 70, a secondexhibition of program X begins at 7:30 on channel 71, a third exhibitionof program X begins at 8:00 on channel 72, and a fourth exhibition ofprogram X begins at 8:30 on channel 73. In the preferred embodiment, 30minutes after the exhibition of program X begins on channel 73, anexhibition of program X begins again on channel 70, and so on. Thus, asubscriber may view program X at any time that the subscriber prefers toview program X, within a 0-30 minute interval. This offset interval isrelatively short in relation to the overall run time of the program.Generally speaking, this interval is sufficiently short that subscribersmay make impulse decisions concerning programming that they wish toview. While program X may not be instantly available from its beginningat the precise minute a subscriber wishes to view it (i.e. "on demand"),program X is nearly available when a subscriber wishes to view it (i.e."nearly on demand").

While a 30 minute offset interval has been described above, thoseskilled in the art will recognize that exhibitions of program X couldlikewise be staggered at 15 minute intervals or at any other intervalthat the bandwidth of transmission system 13 permits. If system 10employs a 15 minute offset or staggering interval, then a 120 minuterepeat factor program, such as program X, requires eight channels toprovide NVOD service within a 0-15 minute interval.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, 28 channels arededicated to providing PPV services. Accordingly, scheduling may beconfigured as desired to provide either a few exhibitions at a veryshort offset interval or more exhibitions at a longer offset interval.The shorter the offset interval, the more "nearly" video programmingbecomes "on demand".

FIG. 4 shows a detailed timing diagram of a preferred operation forsystem 10 around the time when one exhibition of a PPV program ceasesand another PPV exhibition begins. This interval generally occurs aroundthe time that promotional programming is being exhibited, as shown atdetail 80 in FIG. 3.

Trace A in FIG. 4 presents substantially the same information as ispresented for channel 70 in FIG. 3. In particular, FIG. 4 shows that anexhibition of a PPV performance ends at 8:50, followed immediately by 10minutes of promotional programming. At 9:00 exhibition of the PPVperformance begins again. Those skilled in the art will recognize thatoperation of system 10 similar to that illustrated in FIG. 4 will takeplace for each of the channels that exhibit PPV programming, althoughthe timing for such operation may be offset as discussed above.

As discussed above in connection with FIG. 1, the PPV exhibition isscrambled. The control of scrambling is depicted in trace B of FIG. 4.The scrambling is removed when the exhibition of the PPV program ends,which occurs at 8:50. The removal of scrambling at headend 12 (seeFIG. 1) is accompanied with a global data communication instruction toall addressable converter boxes 14 (see FIG. 1) to cease unscramblingoperations in connection with the subject channel, which is channel 70in this example. Accordingly, after 8:50 all subscribers may view thepromotional programming, which preferably shows a preview of upcomingPPV programs.

Even though the subsequent exhibition of PPV programming begins at 9:00,the PPV programming remains unscrambled for a predetermined interval,preferably around 10 minutes, after the beginning of the PPVprogramming. This interval is referred to as a tease interval. Duringthe tease interval a subscriber may view the beginning of PPVprogramming even though the subscriber has not yet ordered the program.However, after the end of the tease interval, the PPV program is againscrambled. The scrambling of PPV programming at headend 12 isaccompanied with a global data communication instruction to allsubscriber's addressable converter boxes 14 to begin unscramblingoperations in connection with the subject channel. However, as discussedabove, only those addressable converter boxes 14 which have been enabledwill engage in unscrambling operations with respect to the subjectchannel.

In order for an addressable converter box 14 to become enabled so thatit will unscramble an incoming channel's programming, an order for PPVprogramming must be placed. Trace C of FIG. 4 shows a timing windowwithin which orders for PPV programming are accepted. Preferably, thisorder request window begins when PPV exhibition begins, which occurs at9:00 in this example. This window continues for a predetermined intervalbeyond the end of the above-discussed tease interval. Accordingly,scrambling is implemented to force subscribers to place orders if theywish to continue viewing PPV programming. When orders are placed, therespective addressable converter boxes 14 become enabled, and thereafterunscramble the incoming PPV programming.

As discussed above, the ordering process includes the ability for asubscriber to cancel a request order. As shown in FIGURE D, a cancelwindow begins when the order request window begins and extends beyondthe order request window. Thus, a subscriber is given a finite intervalwithin which to cancel his or her order. In the preferred embodiment,this cancel window extends for around 5 minutes past the end of theorder request window.

With reference back to FIG. 3, the methodology of the present inventioncontemplates the switching of subscriber viewing between channels toprovide the subscriber with a pause in viewing. For example, asubscriber may order program X at a point in time that causes his or heraddressable converter box 14 to enable channel 70. However, whileviewing program X, the viewer may be called away from televisionreceiver 29 (see FIG. 1) to answer a telephone, get snacks, or any otherof a myriad of reasons. When this happens, the subscriber may simplyre-order the programming. The subscriber's addressable converter box 14will understand that it is currently in an enabled state andautomatically revise enablement to a subsequent channel so that thesubscriber may view the subsequent exhibition of program X, which inthis case is channel 71. The subscriber will be permitted to make thisswitch a predetermined number of times, and billing computer 26 willprocess the multiple orders so that the subscriber does not pay formultiple entire viewings of PPV programming.

In summary, the present invention provides a method for providingimproved pay-per-view programming to subscribers of a network. Thepresent invention provides a method for delivering programs tosubscribers nearly in an on demand or impulse basis. In addition, thepresent invention provides a method for controlling the scrambling andunscrambling of programming so that subscribers can view intelligiblepreview and promotional programming but not view substantial portions ofPPV programming in an intelligible fashion until paying for it.

The present invention has been described above with reference to apreferred embodiment. However, those skilled in the art will recognizethat changes and modifications may be made in this preferred embodimentwithout departing from the scope of the present invention. For example,the specific timing and channel numbers presented in FIGS. 3 and 4 areillustrative of an example of possible scheduling. Those skilled in theart will recognize that precise scheduling will depend on theperformances being exhibited. These and other changes and modificationswhich are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to beincluded within the scope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of providing video programs tosubscribers via a transmission system that comprises capacity for aplurality of video channels, the method comprising the steps:(a) storingthe video programs in a controllable video player system; (b)controlling the video player system, according to a predeterminedschedule, in a manner that causes the video programs to be applied atspecified times to specified channels of the wideband transmissionsystem, according to which schedule the video player system iscontrolled in a manner that causes at least one selected video programto be simultaneously applied to a plurality of channels, with therespective starting times of the selected video program on therespective plurality of channels staggered by time intervals ofrelatively short period in relation to the run-time of the selectedvideo program; (c) processing video programs in a manner that rendersthose programs substantially unintelligible to subscribers; (d)broadcasting the video programs to subscribers via the transmissionsystem; (e) processing a request from a subscriber to view the selectedvideo program; and (f) in response to the request from the subscriber,rendering the selected video program intelligible to the subscriber onan appropriate one of the plurality of channels to which the selectedvideo program is simultaneously applied.
 2. A method of providing videoprograms as defined in claim 1 wherein the request is processed in Step(e) by receiving the request in the form of a telephone call placed to acustomer service representative.
 3. A method of providing video programsas defined in claim 1 wherein the request is processed in Step (e) by anaudio response unit (ARU) that responds to DTMF signals emanating from asubscriber's telephone set.
 4. A method of providing video programs asdefined in claim 3 additionally comprising the step of providing voiceprompts to the subscriber in order to facilitate the request.
 5. Amethod of providing video programs as defined in claim 1 wherein theprocessing of a request in Step (e) utilizes automatic numberidentification of the subscriber's telephone number.
 6. A method ofproviding video programs as defined in claim 1 wherein the processing ofa request according to Step (e) includes storing the request inequipment accessible by the subscriber and subsequently forwarding therequest to a provider of the video programs.
 7. A method of providingvideo programs as defined in claim 6 wherein the request is stored in anaddressable converter box.
 8. A method of providing video programs asdefined in claim 6 wherein the processing of a request according to Step(e) includes transmitting the request substantially immediately over thetransmission system.
 9. A method of providing a video program to asubscriber on a nearly-on-demand basis, method comprising thesteps:storing the video program in a controllable video delivery system;coupling the video delivery system to a transmission system thatcomprises a plurality of channels; controlling the video delivery systemin a manner that causes the video program to be sequentially applied torespective ones of the channels according to a predetermined schedule sothat the starting time of the video program on each of the respectivechannels is offset from the starting time on one of the other channelsby a time period that is substantially less than the run-time of thevideo program; broadcasting the video program on the respective ones ofthe channels so that the video program appears simultaneously on thosechannels, but on a time-offset basis; processing a request from asubscriber to view the video program; and enabling the subscriber toview the video program in a nearly-on-demand mode so that the subscribermay view the beginning of the video program at a discrete point in timeon a video channel that is selected from a plurality of available pointsin time on respective ones of the plurality of video channels.
 10. Amethod of providing a video program as defined in claim 9, furtherincluding the step:applying to one of the plurality of channels a menurepresenting the schedule of the specific times at which the beginningof the video program may be viewed.
 11. A method of providing a videoprogram as defined in claim 10, further comprising the step:prior to thebeginning of the video program on a channel, performing on that channel,a preview of the video program.
 12. A method of providing a videoprogram as defined in claim 9 wherein the preview is performed for alimited period of time without request from the subscriber, but theremainder of the video program is viewable in an intelligible form bythe subscriber only upon request of the subscriber.
 13. A method ofproviding a video program as defined in claim 9, further comprising thesteps:enabling the subscriber to view promotional material related tothe video program during a first interval prior to the starting time ofthe video program; enabling the subscriber to view a beginning portionof the video program during a second interval immediately subsequent tothe first interval; enabling the subscriber to enter a request to viewthe video program during a third interval that includes within itsduration substantially the entirety of the second interval; and in theabsence of a request from the subscriber to view the video program,rendering the video program unviewable in an intelligible form by thesubscriber subsequent to the end of the second interval.
 14. A method ofproviding a video program as defined in claim 13, wherein the thirdinterval extends beyond the end of the second interval.
 15. A method ofproviding a video program as defined in claim 13 further comprising thestep:during a fourth interval that substantially includes the thirdinterval and a predetermined duration after the third interval,responding to an indication of the subscriber's intent to cancel therequest to view the video program.
 16. A method of providing a videoprogram as defined in claim 15 wherein the third interval extends beyondthe end of the second interval.
 17. A method of providing a videoprogram to subscribers, the method comprising the steps:storing thevideo program in a controllable video delivery system that provides atleast two video outputs; coupling the video delivery system to atransmission system that comprises a plurality of channels, so that afirst output of the video delivery system is coupled to a first channeland a second output of the video delivery system is coupled to a secondchannel; controlling the video delivery system in a manner that causesthe video program to be applied to the first and to the second channelsaccording to a predetermined schedule so that the starting time of thevideo program on the first channel is offset from the starting time onthe second channel by an offset time period that is less than therun-time of the video program; broadcasting the video program on thefirst and the second channels so that the video program appearssubstantially simultaneously on those channels, but on a time-offsetbasis; processing requests from subscribers to view the video program;and enabling subscribers to view the video program on either the firstor the second channel, according to the time at which the subscriberprefers to view the video program.
 18. A method of providing a videoprogram to subscribers as defined in claim 17 wherein, subsequent toprocessing an initial request from a subscriber and enabling thesubscriber to view the video program on the first channel, the methodincludes the steps of subsequently processing a second request from thesubscriber, the second request occurring before the video program hasended on the first channel, and enabling the subscriber to view thevideo program on the second channel.
 19. A method of providing a videoprogram as defined in claim 18 wherein requests are processed byreceiving the requests in the form of telephone calls placed to acustomer service representative.
 20. A method of providing videoprograms as defined in claim 18 wherein requests are processed by anaudio response unit (ARU) that responds to DTMF signals emanating from asubscriber's telephone set.
 21. A method of providing video programs asdefined in claim 20 wherein the ARU provides voice prompts to thesubscriber in order to facilitate the request.
 22. A method of providingvideo programs as defined in claim 18 wherein the processing of arequest utilizes automatic number identification of the subscriber'stelephone number.
 23. A method of providing video programs as defined inclaim 18 wherein the processing of a request includes storing therequest in equipment accessible by the subscriber and subsequentlyforwarding the request to a provider of the video program.
 24. A methodof providing a video program as defined in claim 23 wherein the requestis stored in an addressable converter box.
 25. A method of providingvideo programs as defined in claim 23 wherein the processing of arequest includes transmitting the request over the transmission systemto a provider of the video program.
 26. A method of enabling a viewer toview the beginning of a video program at a selected one of a pluralityof predetermined discrete points of time, the method comprising thesteps:(a) operating a controllable video server that provides aplurality of outputs in a manner that causes at least portions of thevideo program to appear concurrently, but not synchronously, atrespective outputs of the video server; (b) applying the outputs of thevideo server to respective downstream channels of a transmission systemthat includes a plurality of downstream channels and at least oneupstream channel; (c) controlling the operation of the video serveraccording to a predetermined schedule, which schedule causes thebeginning of the video program to occur at staggered starting times onthe respective channels so that the starting times on at least aselected pair of the channels are offset by a time interval that isshort with respect to the run-time of the video program; (d)broadcasting the video program to viewers via the transmission system;(e) receiving from a viewer a request transmitted via an upstreamchannel, which request indicates the viewer's preference to view thevideo program at a specific time; and (f) enabling the viewer to viewthe video program on a channel determined by the specific time at whichthe viewer requests to view the video program.
 27. A method as definedin claim 26 comprising the step:receiving the request throughchannel-selection equipment accessible to the viewer and coupled to thetransmission system, which channel-selection equipment includes meansfor storing the request prior to transmission of the request via thetransmission system.
 28. A method as defined in claim 27 comprising thestep: extracting the request from the channel-selection equipment viathe transmission system.
 29. A method as defined in claim 27 comprisingthe steps:compiling, in a master scheduler, said master schedule todefine the times at which the beginning of the video program will occuron respective ones of the plurality of downstream channels, andproviding information compiled by the master scheduler to thecontrollable video server.
 30. A method as defined in claim 29 whereininformation compiled by the master scheduler includes (i) identificationof the video program, (ii) the run-time length of the video program, and(iii) starting time of the active portion of the video program.
 31. Amethod as defined in claim 30 wherein information compiled by the masterscheduler includes the dates and starting times of the video program onrespective channels of the transmission system.
 32. A method as definedin claim 29 comprising the step: providing information compiled by themaster scheduler to a billing processor.
 33. A method as defined inclaim 29 comprising the step: providing information compiled by themaster scheduler to the channel-selection equipment that is accessibleto the viewer.
 34. A method as defined in claim 29 comprising thestep:providing information by the master scheduler that anticipates aneed to acquire a quantity of media on which the video program isrecorded.
 35. A method as defined in claim 26 wherein Step (a) includesloading a plurality of storage media, on which media the video programis stored, into a plurality of video players and wherein Step (c)includes causing the plurality of video players to be sequentiallyactivated so that the beginning of the video program appears at a timeT1 on a first downstream channel, at a time T2 on a second downstreamchannel, . . . , and at a time TN on an Nth downstream channel, whereinT2 through TN occur prior to the end of the video program on the firstdownstream channel.
 36. A method as defined in claim 35 comprising thestep:receiving the request through channel-selection equipmentaccessible to the viewer and coupled to the transmission system, whichchannel-selection equipment includes means for storing the request priorto transmission of the request via the transmission system.
 37. A methodas defined in claim 36 comprising the step:extracting the request fromthe channel-selection equipment via the transmission system.
 38. Amethod as defined in claim 36 comprising the steps:compiling, in amaster scheduler, said master schedule to define the times at which thebeginning of the video program will occur on respective ones of theplurality of downstream channels, and providing information compiled bythe master scheduler to the controllable video server.
 39. A method asdefined in claim 38 wherein information compiled by the master schedulerincludes (i) identification of the video program, (ii) run-time lengthof the video program, and (iii) starting time of the active portion ofthe video program.
 40. A method as defined in claim 39 whereininformation compiled by the master scheduler includes the dates andstarting times of the video program on respective channels of thewideband transmission system.
 41. A method as defined in claim 38comprising the step: providing information compiled by the masterscheduler to a billing processor.
 42. A method as defined in claim 38comprising the step: providing information compiled by the masterscheduler to the channel-selection equipment that is accessible to theviewer.
 43. A method as defined in claim 38 comprising the step:providing information by the master scheduler that anticipates a need toacquire a quantity of media on which the video program is recorded. 44.A method as defined in claim 36 wherein, prior to Step (f), the videoprogram is processed in a manner that renders the program substantiallyunviewable in an intelligible form by a viewer.
 45. A method as definedin claim 36 wherein, subsequent to processing an initial request from asubscriber and enabling the subscriber to view the video program on thefirst channel, the method includes the step of subsequently processing asecond request from the subscriber, the second request occurring beforethe video program has ended on the first channel, and enabling thesubscriber to view the video program on the second channel.
 46. A methodas defined in claim 26 wherein, subsequent to processing an initialrequest from a viewer and enabling the viewer to view the video programon an initial channel, the method includes the step of subsequentlyprocessing a second request from the viewer, the second requestoccurring before the video program has ended on the initial channel, andenabling the viewer to view the video program on another channel asdetermined by the time of occurrence of the second request.
 47. A methodas defined in claim 46 wherein, prior to Step (f), the video program isprocessed in a manner that renders the video program substantiallyunviewable in an intelligible form by a viewer.
 48. A method as definedin claim 47 comprising the steps:compiling, in a master scheduler, saidmaster schedule to define the times at which the beginning of the videoprogram will occur on respective ones of the plurality of downstreamchannels, and providing information compiled by the master scheduler tothe controllable video server.
 49. A method as defined in claim 48wherein information compiled by the master scheduler includes (i)identification of the video program, (ii) run-time length of the videoprogram, and (iii) starting time of the active portion of the videoprogram.
 50. A method as defined in claim 48 comprising the step:providing information compiled by the master scheduler to a billingprocessor.
 51. A method as defined in claim 50 comprising the step:providing information compiled by the master scheduler to thechannel-selection equipment that is accessible to the viewer.
 52. Amethod as defined in claim 51 comprising the step: providing informationby the master scheduler that anticipates a need to acquire a quantity ofmedia on which the video program is recorded.
 53. A method of providinga video program comprising the steps:enabling a subscriber to viewpromotional material related to the video program during a firstinterval prior to the starting time of the video program; enabling thesubscriber to view a beginning portion of the video program during asecond interval immediately subsequent to the first interval; enablingthe subscriber to enter a request to view the video program during athird interval that includes within its duration substantially theentirety of the second interval; and in the absence of a request fromthe subscriber to view the video program, rendering the video programunviewable by the subscriber in an intelligible form subsequent to theend of the second interval.
 54. A method of providing a video program asdefined in claim 53, wherein the third interval extends beyond the endof the second interval.
 55. A method of providing a video program asdefined in claim 53 further comprising the step:during a fourth intervalthat includes the third interval and a predetermined duration after thethird interval, responding to an indication of the subscriber's intentto cancel the request to view the video program.
 56. A method ofproviding a video program as defined in claim 55 wherein the thirdinterval extends beyond the end of the second interval.